Books to Make Knotted Shag Rugs

Fabulous Rag Rugs from Simple Frames

• “Fabulous Rag Rugs from Simple Frames” written and illustrated by master rug maker Diana Blake Gray, claims to contain original techniques for making rag rugs. A full chapter is reserved specifically to address the knotted shag rug. The book includes information on troubleshooting knotted shag rugs when knots become loosely packed, how to knot fabrics when they are lightweight or have a slick finish and how to connect smaller pieces of knotted shag rugs to create a larger rug.

Knotted Shag Rugs

• “Knotted Shag Rugs,” another book by master rug maker Diana Blake Gray, details how tiny scraps of fabric and strong string can be wound together to form knotted shag rugs. The book covers two methods of creating the knotted shag—a two-string loom method and the basics of the frame method. Rugs shown are “shaggy” masterpieces.

The Knitted Rug: 21 Fantastic Designs

• Author Donna Druchunas reveals beautiful patterns for knotted rugs in her book, “The Knitted Rug: 21 Fantastic Designs.” Although not often thought of as a knitted rug, knotted shag rugs, Druchunas shows how the knitting of string into a garter stitch provides a sturdy base for the pulling and knotting of small slips of fabric.

Making Rag Rugs: 15 Step-By-Step Projects

• Clare Hubbard reserves a chapter to discuss the basics of a shag-rug project in her book “Making Rag Rugs: 15 Step-By-Step Projects.” Preparing the materials, transferring rug designs to backing, preparing the rags and how to design a pattern are covered in this handy 80-page book. Hubbard provides a list of needed items for each project, step-by-step illustrations and close-up color photographs for guidance in the process. Cleaning and caring for the knotted rugs also is included.

Handmade Rugs from Practically Anything

• “Handmade Rugs from Practically Anything,” by Jean Ray Laury and Joyce Aiken contains instructions on building a rug loom for making knotted shag rugs. Filled with a variety of techniques and patterns, this book is a treasure trove of information on all types of handmade rugs—hooked, woven, tied, shaggy and knotted.